Top 5 Designated Hitters of All Time

Mina Park, @minapark

Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:07 AM

Happy Birthday, DH!

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Designated Hitter position when the American League adopted the rule in 1973. Whether you love it or hate it, there have been some baseball greats to fill this role beautifully.

DH might be over-the-hill, but he’s having a party and these guys are on the VIP list:

5. Harold Baines
Baines played for five different American League teams over his career and is now the assistant hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox. He currently holds the record for the most games as a DH at 1,652 and is a six-time All-Star.

4. David Ortiz

Big Papi is currently in his 17th MLB season and has eight All-Star appearances, five Silver Slugger Awards and two World Series championships under his belt. He’s also in the 50 home run club with his 54 home runs in 2006.

3. Frank Thomas

Thomas “The Big Hurt” hit over 500 home runs in his career joining other legends like Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson and Ken Griffey, Jr. He also won two Silver Slugger Awards as a DH.

2. Paul Molitor

Molitor is a Hall of Famer who spent close to half of his career as a DH. He is the only player with at least a .300 lifetime batting average, 3,000 hits, 500 stolen bases and 200 home runs.

1. Edgar Martinez

The Mariners legend is the only DH to win a batting title with a .356 batting average in 1995. Oh, and the Designated Hitter award is named after him, so have yourself some cake.

Who's your pick? Comment below.

MLB.com Comments

More Like This

Twitter

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.